If you have completed your studies in Australia and are planning to apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), understanding the pte requirement for 485 visa applications is an important part of your preparation.
On This Page
- What Is the Current 485 Visa PTE Requirement?
- Quick answer
- PTE Score for 485 Visa: What Should You Check?
- English Requirement for 485 Visa
- Do Not Confuse 485 Requirements With Competent English
- How Recent Does Your PTE Test Need to Be?
- What Changed on 7 August 2025?
- Can You Use a PTE Test Taken Before 7 August 2025?
- Is PTE Academic Accepted for Subclass 485?
- Can You Take PTE From Home for a 485 Visa?
- Do Hong Kong and BNO Passport Holders Have Different Requirements?
- Are Some Applicants Exempt From the English Requirement?
- How the 485 PTE Requirement Differs From Skilled Migration
- What Is the PTE Score Required for 485 Visa Applicants?
- How to Prepare for the 485 English Requirement
- Start with a diagnostic test
- Identify your weaker areas
- Practise under timed conditions
- Review your mistakes
- Track your progress
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using old information
- Confusing Competent English with subclass 485
- Looking only at the overall result
- Ignoring the test date
- Booking an at-home test
- Assuming every applicant has identical requirements
- 485 Visa PTE Checklist
- Final Takeaway
- Frequently Asked Questions
The current rules commenced on 7 August 2025, so applicants may still find older information online that does not match the requirements currently used for new applications. The official subclass 485 English language instrument specifies PTE Academic as an accepted test and sets separate requirements for the overall result and the four English components.
It is also important to separate the subclass 485 rules from general Australian English categories such as Competent English. The two are not interchangeable.
What Is the Current 485 Visa PTE Requirement?
The current 485 visa pte requirement for the standard applicant category is:
| PTE Academic requirement | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Overall | 55 |
| Listening | 40 |
| Reading | 42 |
| Writing | 41 |
| Speaking | 39 |
These requirements come from Schedule 1 of the Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visas) Instrument 2025.
The key thing to understand is that the application is not assessed by looking at the overall result alone. The individual English components also have specified minimums.
Therefore, when checking your PTE result, review the complete result rather than focusing on only one number.
Quick answer
For most applicants applying under the standard subclass 485 requirements, the current PTE Academic requirement is 55 overall, together with the applicable minimum requirements for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
PTE Score for 485 Visa: What Should You Check?
When looking at the pte score for 485 visa, there are two things to check:
- Whether your overall result reaches the required level.
- Whether each required component also meets its applicable minimum.
This is different from simply asking whether your overall PTE result is high enough.
For example, someone could have a strong overall result but still need to address a component that falls below the required threshold. That is why your complete PTE report should be checked before you rely on it for a visa application.
If you are researching PTE requirements for other Australian visa pathways as well, you can refer to our PTE for Australian visa guide. This article, however, is specifically focused on subclass 485.
English Requirement for 485 Visa
The english requirement for 485 visa applications is governed by a specific migration instrument rather than the general PTE scoring information you may see on preparation websites.
The current instrument applies to applicants for the Temporary Graduate visa in the:
- Post-Vocational Education Work stream
- Post-Higher Education Work stream
The legislation defines these as the relevant streams for the English language requirement under the instrument.
This distinction matters because Australian visas can have different English requirements. A requirement that applies to a student visa, skilled migration pathway or another visa should not automatically be used for subclass 485.
For the wider eligibility rules, applicants should also check the official Department of Home Affairs Temporary Graduate visa information.
Do Not Confuse 485 Requirements With Competent English
One of the most common sources of confusion is the difference between the subclass 485 requirement and the general Competent English category.
For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, the Department of Home Affairs lists the following PTE component thresholds for Competent English:
- Listening: 47
- Reading: 48
- Writing: 51
- Speaking: 54
These figures are for the Competent English category and are not the standard subclass 485 PTE requirements.
Your uploaded reference also separates the English proficiency requirements under the old and new rules.
This is why searching for general "Competent English PTE" information and applying those figures directly to a subclass 485 application can lead to confusion.
The visa-specific legislation should be used when checking your subclass 485 requirements.
How Recent Does Your PTE Test Need to Be?
The timing of your test is another important part of the application.
Under the current subclass 485 instrument, the required English result must have been achieved within the period of one year immediately before the day the relevant visa application is made. This requirement is also relevant to qualifying tests taken before the current instrument commenced.
For example, if you plan to lodge your subclass 485 application in December 2026, you should check whether your qualifying result falls within the required period immediately before your application date.
Before relying on an existing result, check:
- The date you took the test
- The date the required result was achieved
- Your planned visa application date
- Whether transitional provisions apply
This is particularly important for applicants who completed PTE before the rules changed in August 2025.
What Changed on 7 August 2025?
The current Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visas) Instrument 2025 commenced on 7 August 2025 and repealed the previous 2024 instrument.
The Department of Home Affairs also confirms that the approved English tests for Australian visa purposes changed from this date. Tests taken before the change may still be accepted in certain circumstances, depending on the visa subclass and applicable timeframe.
This is why applicants should pay attention to the date of their PTE test instead of relying on an old blog or social media post.
Can You Use a PTE Test Taken Before 7 August 2025?
Yes, qualifying older test results can be covered by transitional provisions.
The subclass 485 instrument contains a specific section for tests undertaken before the new instrument commenced. For an eligible result to be used, the requirements in the relevant schedule must be satisfied and the result must have been achieved within the specified one-year period before the visa application.
For PTE Academic under the older rules, the specified requirements were:
| Requirement | Older PTE threshold |
|---|---|
| Overall | 57 |
| Listening | 43 |
| Reading | 48 |
| Writing | 51 |
| Speaking | 42 |
These older figures should only be considered in the context of the transitional provisions. They should not be mixed with the current requirements for a new PTE test taken under the post-7 August 2025 rules.
If you have an older result, check the exact test date and the application conditions before deciding whether another test is necessary.
Is PTE Academic Accepted for Subclass 485?
Yes. PTE Academic is one of the English tests specified for subclass 485 applicants under the current instrument. Other specified tests include IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, LANGUAGECERT Academic, Michigan English Test, OET and TOEFL iBT, subject to their individual requirements.
The Department of Home Affairs also states that approved English tests must be undertaken at a secure testing centre.
Can You Take PTE From Home for a 485 Visa?
Applicants should not rely on an at-home or completely online test for Australian visa evidence.
The Department of Home Affairs states that it does not accept English tests delivered completely online, including remote-proctored or at-home tests. Approved tests need to be taken at a secure testing centre.
This is worth checking before booking because a test provider may offer different testing formats, but not every format is acceptable for Australian visa purposes.
Do Hong Kong and BNO Passport Holders Have Different Requirements?
Yes.
The subclass 485 English language instrument provides separate requirements for applicants who hold a Hong Kong passport or British National (Overseas) passport. For PTE Academic, Schedule 2 contains different thresholds from the standard category.
Therefore, applicants in these categories should not automatically use the standard requirement table above.
The same principle applies if you believe you qualify for an English language exemption.
Are Some Applicants Exempt From the English Requirement?
The current instrument specifies certain passport-based exemptions.
English language proficiency requirements do not apply in the specified circumstances to qualifying applicants who are citizens and hold valid passports issued by:
- Canada
- New Zealand
- Republic of Ireland
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
The legislation sets out the relevant conditions for these exemptions.
If you hold one of these passports, check whether the exemption applies to your particular application before booking an English test.
How the 485 PTE Requirement Differs From Skilled Migration
The 485 pte requirement should not be treated as the same thing as the English requirements used for skilled migration.
A Temporary Graduate visa is a separate pathway from skilled migration visas. If you later plan to apply for a skilled migration pathway, you may need to meet a different English proficiency level and other requirements.
PTEClasses already has a dedicated resource covering PTE and skilled migration, so applicants planning their longer-term migration pathway can review that separately.
Keeping these topics separate also helps avoid using skilled migration requirements when researching subclass 485.
What Is the PTE Score Required for 485 Visa Applicants?
The pte score required for 485 visa applications depends on the applicant category and the applicable rules.
For the standard category, the current requirement is shown in the table above. Applicants should also consider:
- Their visa stream
- Their test date
- Whether transitional rules apply
- Whether an exemption applies
- Whether they are covered by the separate Hong Kong or BNO provisions
- Whether their test was taken at an approved secure testing centre
If you are comparing requirements across Australian visas, our minimum PTE score for Australian visa guide covers the broader visa context. It should not replace the subclass 485-specific rules explained on this page.
How to Prepare for the 485 English Requirement
Once you know which requirement applies to you, your preparation can be more focused.
Start with a diagnostic test
Take a realistic PTE practice test to understand your current performance across all four components.
Identify your weaker areas
If one section consistently causes problems, spend additional practice time there rather than repeatedly completing full tests without reviewing mistakes.
Practise under timed conditions
PTE is a timed test, so your preparation should include exercises completed within realistic time limits.
Review your mistakes
After each practice session, identify why you lost marks and adjust your preparation accordingly.
Track your progress
Keep a simple record of practice results so you can see whether your performance is becoming consistent.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using old information
The current subclass 485 English instrument commenced on 7 August 2025. Older articles may therefore contain requirements that apply only to earlier tests or transitional situations.
Confusing Competent English with subclass 485
The Competent English PTE thresholds published by Home Affairs are a separate English proficiency category.
Looking only at the overall result
The applicable component requirements also need to be considered.
Ignoring the test date
The one-year timing requirement is an important part of the current subclass 485 English rules.
Booking an at-home test
Completely online or remote-proctored tests are not accepted for Australian visa purposes.
Assuming every applicant has identical requirements
Certain passport holders and transitional cases have separate provisions.
485 Visa PTE Checklist
Before relying on your PTE result for a subclass 485 application, check:
- Confirm your Temporary Graduate visa stream.
- Confirm whether you need to provide English evidence.
- Check the requirements applicable to your applicant category.
- Review your complete PTE result.
- Check when the test was taken.
- Confirm that the result falls within the required timeframe.
- Check transitional rules if the test was taken before 7 August 2025.
- Confirm that the test was taken at a secure testing centre.
- Check whether a passport exemption applies.
- Review the latest Australian Government information before lodging your application.
Final Takeaway
The pte requirement for 485 visa applications is specific to the Temporary Graduate visa and should not be confused with general Competent English or skilled migration requirements.
For the standard category, the current PTE Academic requirement is 55 overall, with separate minimum requirements for the four test components. The applicable result must also satisfy the relevant timing rules.
If you took PTE before 7 August 2025, check the transitional provisions before booking another test. If you are taking a new test, use the current subclass 485 rules and verify the latest Australian Government information before lodging your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find clear answers to common questions about this topic.
What is the PTE requirement for 485 visa applications?
For the standard category, the current PTE Academic requirement is 55 overall, together with the applicable minimum requirements for the four English components.
Is PTE Academic accepted for subclass 485?
Yes. PTE Academic is one of the English tests specified under the current subclass 485 English language instrument.
How recent does a PTE result need to be for subclass 485?
The relevant result must generally have been achieved within one year immediately before the day the visa application is made, subject to the applicable rules.
Can I use a PTE test taken before 7 August 2025?
Qualifying older tests can be covered by the transitional provisions. The result must satisfy the relevant older requirements and timing conditions.
Is Competent English the same as the subclass 485 requirement?
No. Competent English is a separate English proficiency category published by the Department of Home Affairs.
Can I take PTE at home for an Australian visa?
No. Home Affairs states that completely online, remote-proctored or at-home English tests are not accepted for Australian visa purposes.
Do Hong Kong and BNO passport holders have different PTE requirements?
Yes. The current subclass 485 instrument contains separate requirements for Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders.
